As a way of boosting domestic tourism in Uganda, the government is considering negotiations with hotel and lodge owners close to national parks and other tourism facilities to stop charging Ugandan tourists in foreign currencies.
The revelation was made by the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka while launching a campaign to promote Domestic Tourism in Uganda.
Bahinduka says Ugandans have shunned local tourism because of exorbitant prices in terms of accommodation and transport.
He says going forward, the government will start engaging hotel owners to reduce the pricing to make it more affordable for Ugandans interested in travelling.
He says:”so we are going to make movement for you as domestic travellers as easy and cheap as it can be ,and we have agreed as a ministry with our partners especially UWA to open up these protected areas and allow a number of people to go and open up hotels there,the more hotels we have,the lesser the price.”
He says hotels are so expensive because there is high demand and limited space for accommodation.
He has implored Ugandans to travel and use their social media platforms to show the beauty that the country beholds.
The Minister says tourism contributes alot to the economy.He says before the Covid 19 pandemic the sector was bringing in 1.6 billion shillings in addition to employing 600.000 persons directly.
According to various websites for these lounges, Nile Safari Lounge charges 825 Euros, Kabalega Wilderness Lounge is at 404 Euros and Twiga Safari Lounge at 233 Euros all near Murchison Falls National Park among others.
Uganda has diverse landscape that encompasses the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and immense Lake Victoria.
Its abundant wildlife includes chimpanzees as well as rare birds. Remote Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a renowned mountain gorilla sanctuary. Murchison Falls National Park in the northwest is known for its 43m-tall waterfall and wildlife such as hippos.
By Minah Nalule
